A comparison of benthic biodiversity in the North Sea, English Channel and Celtic Seas. Infauna grab sampling 1992-1994
Samples of the benthic macrofauna were collected from MAFF research vessels at each of 25 intermediate and offshore stations around the English and Welsh coastlines between 1992 and 1994. This dataset details the infauna present at each sampling station. At each location, five sediment samples for macrofaunal analysis were collected using a 0.1m2 Day grab from the central point of a 500 m grid of 9 stations, the latter being sampled for contaminant analyses only. The five replicates were collected from within a 100 m range ring, using SEXTANT software and DGPS position-fixing.
dataset
https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20629
name: Cefas Data Portal
description: The Cefas Data Portal contains metadata records and data sets available to download and connect to in support of our commitment to open science. Data is available in the following formats: CSV, ESRI Shapefile. The data can also be accessed via the WFS and WMS protocols.
function: download
CEFAS20629
https://data.cefas.co.uk
eng
biota
publication
2008-06-01
revision
2011-03-25
revision
2011-03-25
publication
2008-06-01
revision
2010-05-18
publication
2012-01-11
publication
2012-01-11
-5.50
3.00
55.00
49.50
1992-12-01
1994-03-31
publication
2020-06-26
revision
2023-02-06
creation
2020-06-04
notPlanned
A visual description of the sediment type was recorded, plus location and times of sample collection, depth and sea state. A sub-sample for sediment particle size analysis was removed using a 2 cm diameter perspex corer inserted to a depth of about 5 cm. The contents of the grab were transferred to a hopper, and gently washed over a 1 mm mesh brass sieve. The retained material was preserved for analysis in 5% formaldehyde in seawater with added Rose Bengal. The macrofauna was identified to species level, as far as possible, with the use of a range of standard taxonomic keys. All animals were enumerated, with the exception of colonial organisms which were recorded on a presence/absence basis. Biomass of each taxon was determined as wet blotted weight, and then expressed as ash-free dry weight using conversion factors, mainly from Rumohr et al. (1987). For particle size analyses, sediment subsamples were first wet sieved at 500 microns. The >500 micron fraction was then dry-sieved at half-phi intervals, and the <500 fraction analysed using a Coulter LS130 laser sizer. Percentage organic carbon and nitrogen were determined sing a CHN analyser, following exposure of sediment samples to fumes of concentrated HCl in order to dissolve carbonates. Cefas quality control procedures followed for processing of macrofaunal and sediment samples.
publication
2013-12-10
false
See the referenced specification
publication
2010-12-08
true
See the referenced specification
Unknown
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)
Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
UK
originator
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)
Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
UK
custodian
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)
Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
UK
distributor
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
owner
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)
Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
UK
pointOfContact
2023-02-06T12:48:10